Main menu

Dodge throws a Dart at Detroit auto show: Autoweek TV

December 5, 2011

Also in this episode: A super crash in Japan racks up millions in losses, Kurt Busch and Penske Racing go their separate ways, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety still considers the Chevrolet Volt to be safe, and we check in on our long-term test of the Honda Odyssey minivan.

TRANSCRIPT

Welcome to a Tuesday edition of Autoweek TV.

Coming up, we'll give you an update on how life is going with our long-term Honda Odyssey minivan--which is important if you have lots of stuff to haul around this holiday season.

Now, here's a look at what's making news in the car world:

--

Dodge's new small car will revive another of the brand's historic names--Dart.

The 2013 Dodge Dart, which is based on a variation of a Fiat platform, makes its debut next month at the Detroit auto show.

Buyers can choose from a trio of four-cylinder engines, branded Tigershark, that use Fiat's MultiAir technology for better fuel economy. Dodge says there will be three transmission options.

--

Car fans are sure to shed some tears after hearing about a 14-car pileup of supercars in Japan over the weekend.

Nearly $2 million worth of cars were damaged in the crash. The carnage collected eight Ferraris, including an F-360, a Lamborghini and two Mercedes-Benzes.

The crash happened when the driver of a Ferrari was switching from the right lane to the left and skidded, said an officer from the expressway traffic police unit. The officer called the convoy of cars traveling from Kyushu to Hiroshima a "gathering of narcissists."

Fortunately, no one died in the super crash. The only casualties here were the cars.

--

NASCAR driver Kurt Busch and Penske Racing have gone their separate ways, after Busch let his temper get the best of him several times this season.

The final straw apparently came when Busch unleashed a profanity-laced tirade at ESPN reporter Jerry Punch at the season finale in Florida. Busch was angry that his car broke early in the race.

NASCAR fined Busch $50,000 for the outburst, and the driver and team scrambled to make apologies. But it was one incident too many for team owner Roger Penske and his NASCAR sponsors.

On Monday, Busch said the Team Penske culture was too formal for his tastes--even though he had been there six years and won 16 races.

Penske has plenty of drivers to choose from to fill Busch's seat. And as of now Busch, the series champion in 2004, doesn't have a ride for next season.

--

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says it will keep its top crash-safety rating on the Chevy Volt, even as the government investigates a potential problem with the battery pack overheating.

The group gave the Volt five stars for safety back in February. It said it found no evidence of damage to the Volt's battery pack in its tests.

The ratings from the group, which is underwritten by insurance companies, are closely watched by consumers and are often used in automakers' marketing.

NHTSA last week opened an investigation into the Volt after a vehicle it crash-tested caught fire three weeks after the test.

--

Now, back to the Odyssey. We're spending a year living with Honda's redesigned minivan.

Here with an update on our experiences are Jon Wong and Bob Gritzinger.

--

Thanks, guys.

That's the news round-up for today. We'll see you back here tomorrow. And as always, enjoy the drive.